Hawkins and Mackie added to PLG

Tom Hawkins speaks on leadership group role
Tom Hawkins chats with Cats TV on his inclusion into the Cats player leadership group.

Geelong has named its leadership group (PLG) for the 2013 campaign, with Joel Selwood to continue as captain and Jimmy Bartel as vice captain.

Andrew Mackie and Tom Hawkins have joined the PLG, as the Cats look to enhance its depth of leaders within the playing group.

They will join Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Harry Taylor as members of the PLG.

After spending the previous six years as members of the PLG, Corey Enright and Joel Corey have stepped down to allow fresh faces to join the group.

“We have had a strong core group of leaders over the past few years, and we believe they have done an outstanding job for the club,” Geelong General Manager of football Neil Balme said.

“We are excited to add Tom and Andrew to the group. Both have vast experience although they are not old in years. It speaks to the level of commitment to the club that Joel and Corey asked to step away to allow for change.

“We know that they will continue as leaders of the club and we will continue to call on their knowledge and experience, as will their team mates.

“The PLG are highly rated by both their team mates and the rest of the club. We see them as leaders not only of our football team, but also of the club.”

New inclusion Hawkins, said the leadership role won't change him as a player.

"I like to enjoy my football." Hawkins said.

"I like to muck around in the changerooms and have fun because that's what it's all about in my eyes."

Hawkins also made reference to the fact retiring senior players meant that there was an onus on players such as himself to step up.

"Going into my seventh year at the club it's time I step up and take on some responsibility." Hawkins said.

"This is going to be great for me and my development as a player and as a person."

To view the full Hawkins interview click the media player above.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs